Even though the New England Patriots won't be taking the field for the 50th Superbowl in a week, next year is on the horizon.
To say Tom Brady was on a revenge tour this season is an understatement. After a four month investigation into what was known as Deflategate, the alleged under inflation of footballs used by the Patriots in the 2014 AFC Championship game against the Colts, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tried to suspend Brady for the first four games of the season. As we all know, that didn't go as planned, as the suspension was overturned in court.
Going into the 2015-2016 season, there was much scrutiny from fans, players, and owners of other teams from the fact that Brady was allowed to play. After a 10 game win streak to open up the season, injuries struck the team constantly. From break out sensation Dion Lewis, to star receiver Julian Edelmen, the patriot's finished the last 6 games of the season 2 and 4. After a devastating loss to the Broncos in an extremely close game, this season is over. But there's always next year! With that being said, here are five reasons to be excited for next season.
1. We get our two headed running attack back.
After Dion Lewis's torn ACL in week 9, the Patriots running attack was never the same. There was no true duel threat in the back field. To add injury to well, more injury, LaGarrete Blount would be added to injured reserve only a few weeks later, leaving the team with Brandon Bolden, James White, and the newly signed Steven Jackson who hadn't played in over a year. The run game suffered immensely, forcing the passing game to be the main attraction, even though it had also been hurt in productiveness on injuries (more on that later). With both Lewis and Blount back (with the latter hopefully being resigned), the Patriots will be able to run a more balanced offense next season.
2. The offense line won't be a carousel.
The biggest impact in this game besides the mixed PAT was the awful line play of the Patriots. Due to many injuries, including Nate Solder being put on injured reserve early in the season, starting center Ryan Stork missing half the season due to concussion symptoms, and Ryan Wendell being out almost the entire season, the starting line up was changed 13 times throughout the season. Offensive lineman coach Dave DeGuglielmo was fired after the AFC championship game, where Brady was at least 20 times. With healthy players and a new coach, we could get back to the stellar line play that helped propel them to a Superbowl championship.
3. We have what might possibly be the best front seven on defense.
Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower and Jerod Mayo. Those are some impact players. Among them are Malcolm Brown, Jabaal Sheard, and Dominique Easley; all impact players. Don't underestimate this defense.
4. The secondary can only get better.
Most expected that the Patriot's corners would be there weakest point going into the season, but both Superbowl hero Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan (who actually played better statistically then Butler) were able to hang with some of the best receivers in the league. Coach Belichick loves to stock pile corners and safeties in the draft, and with one of the best safety combinations in the league with Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung, expect this secondary to get even better then this year.
And last but not least...
5. We still have Brady and the big three receivers.
Brady will be a Patriot for life. He's already taking one for the team with his ridiculous pay cut, and with extra cap space we might be able to get a true number one outside receiver. That roll originally belonged to Brandon LaFell, but after his injury prone and dropped filled season, he might be a causality when it comes to cutting the team down. Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelmen, and Danny Amendola will all be back next year, healthy and ready to go. Maybe Keshawn Martin will step up, maybe we will find a hidden gem in the draft, but this receiving core will have a while to heal up and get better for next season.
So yes, while it sucks that we won't be playing in the Superbowl, our shot at next years title looks amazing. If it's any consolation, you can always cheer on the Panthers this Sunday!
